| Vitamins (combination of two words: | | | | cells, affects normal growth and |
| Vital Amines) are the complex organic | | | | disturbs the nervous system. |
| substance essential in small quantities | | | | Vitamin C |
| to the metabolism (nutrition) in most | | | | Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a |
| animals. These are found in minute | | | | water-soluble, antioxidant vitamin that |
| quantities in food, in some cases are | | | | is vital to the production of collagen, |
| produced by the body, and are also | | | | a protein that gives structure to bones, |
| produced synthetically. The human body | | | | cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. It |
| needs them to work properly, so that we | | | | is important for keeping body tissues, |
| can grow and develop just like we | | | | such as gums and muscles in good shape |
| should. Their deficiency results in many | | | | and it helps in quick healing of wounds. |
| serious disorders. | | | | In addition, it helps protecting the |
| Vitamins are divided into two major | | | | fat-soluble vitamins A and E as well as |
| groups: the 'fat-soluble vitamins' | | | | fatty acids from oxidation. |
| designated as vitamin A, vitamin D, | | | | The vitamin C can be found in citrus |
| vitamin E, and vitamin K, and the | | | | fruits (like lemon & orange), |
| 'water-soluble vitamins' which include | | | | cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, |
| vitamin C and the group of molecules | | | | broccoli, cabbage and in other fresh |
| referred to as the vitamin B complex. | | | | fruits and vegetables. |
| Each of them has its own special role in | | | | The deficiency of vitamin C affects the |
| the development of human body. | | | | healthy skin; poor wound healing and can |
| Vitamin A | | | | lead to a disease called "Scurvy" which |
| Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin, plays | | | | causes bleeding in gums, easy bruising, |
| a really big part in eyesight and helps | | | | bumps of coiled hair on the arms and |
| us to see in dim light and also at | | | | legs, pain in the joints, muscle |
| night. Vitamin A is also involved in the | | | | wasting, and many other problems. |
| formation and maintenance of healthy | | | | Vitamin D |
| skin, hair, and mucous membranes. In | | | | Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that |
| addition, it is necessary for proper | | | | regulates the formation of bone and the |
| bone growth, tooth development, | | | | absorption of calcium and phosphorus |
| reproduction and for the development of | | | | from the intestine. It helps to control |
| epithelial cells (that line any opening | | | | the movement of calcium between bone and |
| to the body e.g.; nose, throat, lungs, | | | | blood, and vice versa. It is this |
| mouth, stomach, intestines and urinary | | | | vitamin you need for strong bones and |
| tract). | | | | teeth. In addition it helps your body |
| Vitamin A can be found in eggs, milk, | | | | absorb the amount of calcium it needs. |
| carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, fish | | | | Vitamin D can be found in fish liver |
| oil, liver (pork, lamb, chicken, turkey | | | | oil, egg yolks, milk and other dairy |
| or beef), butter, broccoli, apricots, | | | | products fortified with vitamin D. It is |
| nectarines, cantaloupe, and orange or | | | | also produced in our body in the |
| yellow vegetables or fruits. | | | | presence of ultra violet light and |
| The deficiency of vitamin A can cause | | | | sunlight. |
| two major disorders like: night | | | | The deficiency of vitamin D can cause |
| blindness and drying of skin. | | | | weak bones and bowed legs (in children). |
| Vitamin B | | | | And its excess can cause loss of |
| Vitamin B itself is a complex of | | | | appetite, weight loss, nausea, headache, |
| different vitamins like: B1, B2, B6, | | | | depression and deposits of calcium in |
| B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin and | | | | the kidneys. |
| pantothenic acid. These B vitamins are | | | | Vitamin E |
| very important in metabolic activity and | | | | Vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin, is |
| in facilitating the red blood cell | | | | essential for the inhibition of |
| (which carry oxygen throughout your | | | | oxidation in body tissues, formation of |
| body). They also help your body make | | | | red blood cells, and also prevents |
| protein and energy. | | | | breakdown of body tissues. It maintains |
| The sources of vitamin B are leafy green | | | | the body tissues and protects the lungs |
| vegetables seafood, beans, peas, citrus | | | | from becoming damaged by polluted air. |
| fruits, whole grains (such as wheat and | | | | This vitamin can be found in whole |
| oats), poultry, meats, eggs and dairy | | | | grains (such as wheat and oat), wheat |
| products (like milk and yogurt). Some | | | | germ, leafy green vegetables, sardines, |
| bacteria in our large intestine also | | | | egg yolks, nuts, bread, cereals and |
| prepare some type of B-vitamins. | | | | seeds. |
| The deficiency of vitamin B can cause | | | | The deficiency of this vitamin can cause |
| the disease "Beri Beri", cracked lips, | | | | many diseases like cancer, diabetes, |
| weak muscles, malformation of red blood | | | | heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease. |